PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Legislation aimed at protecting hotel employees, particularly housekeepers, from sexual violence and harassment advanced out of the House Committee last week on a party-line vote.
Philadelphia Democrat Roni Green said hotel workers experience the highest level of workplace sexual assault and violence.
“This is due to the isolated nature of hotel housekeeping. Work unequal power dynamics between hotel workers and guests, and resistance from management to take action against a problematic gap,” she said.
Her bill would require hotels to provide panic buttons to employees who work alone in situations where they could be vulnerable, most especially housekeeping staff, and training on how to respond.
Green also cited a Chicago-based survey showing that 58% of hotel workers reported being sexually harassed by guests, and 49% of housekeepers said guests exposed themselves or answered the door naked.
“I’ve had members of my own family work in the hospitality industry when they were young, and the stories they’ve shared with me are horrific,” she said.
The bill passed the State House Labor and Industry Committee on a party-line vote, with all Republicans voting against it. Minority Chair Rep. Seth Grove, a Republican, pointed to what he called numerous issues with the bill, including penalties that are too steep and no threshold for the number of rooms that would require the panic buttons. He said that could ensnare unintended mom-and-pop businesses.
“The intent of the prime sponsor is for safety. She obviously cares about this issue very much. This has nothing to do with that view,” he said. “It's just the process and how this is drafted and the impact on the industry.”
The bill now moves to the House Rules Committee for further consideration.